Questions tagged [high-holidays]

Questions about Rosh Hashana _and_ Yom Kippur. Not for questions unique to one or the other.

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Rosh Hashanah cooking

Since one is allowed to cook on all Yom tov (except Yom Kippur) that doesn’t fall on Shabbat for that day of Yom tov, and since Rosh Hashanah is two days (but halachically one), could one cook on the ...
Kirk's user avatar
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Buying a Kittel for oneself, is that a problem?

I heard of a minhag not to buy a Kittel for oneself. Does anyone know a source For this minhag? Also, how does one practically go about this, if there is no one else willing to spend the money on the ...
Yoreinu's user avatar
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4 votes
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Feeling overwhelmed with too much teshuva to do

I'm having practical difficulty with something that seems to be a contradiction to me. On the one hand, we're told that practical advice for Elul/RH/YK is to take on a single small thing to improve on,...
Moses Supposes's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
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Are there any prayer books from the Conservative movement that include Selihot?

I have been having a surprisingly difficult time finding a copy of selihot prayers. They appear to not be included in: Siddur Sim Shalom (1985) Siddur Sim Shalom for Weekdays (2002) Mahzor Lev Shalem ...
Mike's user avatar
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Is it appropriate to use the nusach of Rosh Hashanah on the days until Yom Kippur?

Is it appropriate or inappropriate to use the nusach of the High Holy Days when davening on the days in between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur? Because we put additions into the Amidah (Zokhreinu, etc) ...
Mike's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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Do the Five books in Avinu malkeinu have any connection to the book of righteous/sefer Tzadikim?

In Avinu Malkeinu we mention five books, ספר חיים טובים, - book of good life ספר גאולה וישועה, - book of redemption and salvation ספר זכויות, - book of merits ספר פרנסה וכלכלה, - book of income and ...
פרי זהב's user avatar
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What is the source for those who say parts of Hineni quietly?

In many yeshivot and shuls with a yeshivish crowd, the chazzan for mussaf on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur does not say the full Hineni out loud. Instead, he says all the parts talking about himself ...
Moshe Katz's user avatar
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Erev Rosh Hashana 5781 - mikvah via 'tes kavin' [duplicate]

Given the nature of the pandemic Rav Hershel Schachter amongst many others have advised against going to the mikvah (see here) in letter dalet: Instead people are being advise to 'dip' via a shower ...
Dov's user avatar
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6 votes
3 answers
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Davening alone on the yamim noraim

I found a Kof-K publication titled "Tefillah When Davening Alone" and learned that there is more to it than just skipping the parts that require a minyan (see here). Now I seek a similar ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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Phrasing in unetanah tokef

This question bothers me each time the High Holidays come around. In the text for Unetaneh Tokef, we find the sequence: מִי יָנוּחַ, וּמִי יָנוּעַ; מִי יִשָּׁקֵט, וּמִי יְטֹּרֵף; מִי יִשָּׁלֵו, ...
user432944's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
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Why isn't המלך המשפט a grammatical mistake?

During these ימים נוראים we finish the 11th blessing of the amida with the words המלך המשפט. What does this exactly, literally mean? Melech and mishpat are both nouns, so it would seem that we need a ...
Josh Friedlander's user avatar
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Do Hareidim wear a kittel on Yamim Nora'im?

I have never observed Hareidi minhagim during the High Holidays. But, I know that during Shabbat and Yom Tov many wear a bekisheh - a long robe. I'm curious if they were the bekisheh in lieu of the ...
DanF's user avatar
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While studying for the purpose of conversion, is it acceptable to observe Yom Kippur? [closed]

I have studied Judaism on my own for a little over two years and I do have the FULL intent to ultimately convert. I live in a very rural area in the south, so Jewish communities are few and far ...
Taylor's user avatar
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Sources for when we change the Parochet to white

It is customary to change the Parochet, Torah covers, and some other items in the shul to white for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, and it is common practice to keep the white covers up until after ...
Moshe Katz's user avatar
16 votes
4 answers
6k views

Best way to explain to my boss that I cannot attend a team summit because it is on Rosh Hashana or any other Jewish Holiday

I have a team summit which unfortunately falls on Rosh Hashanah and I will not be able to attend. It is not mission critical that I be there - it is more for team building but still the team spent a ...
javadev's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
257 views

Can purchasing tickets for high holidays services count as maaser?

Many synagogues require purchasing tickets/seats to attend high holiday services. Can money paid for this purpose count as a donation to the synagogue from a ma'aser perspective (count as a valid use ...
AMR's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
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Mizrachim saying Avinu Malkeinu on Shabbat

I would like to turn around these two questions. We saw that it is problematic to ask personal requests on Shabbat, and certain verses of Avinu Malkeinu correspond to the blessings of the weekday ...
Kazi bácsi's user avatar
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2 votes
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Why do people respond "Gam L'mar"?

During this past Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur, whenever I wished someone Shanah Tovah or (G'mar) Chatimah Tovah s/he responded Gam L'mar. I don't recall having heard that before this year. Doesn't ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
488 views

Gemar Hatima Tova vs. Hatima Tova vs. Gemar Tov

When do we wish Gemar Hatima Tova , Hatima Tova and Gemar Tov? What are the differences between the three? Does it relate to the High Holiday schedule?
Avi's user avatar
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7 votes
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How/best places to find time to think/reflect during RH/YK davening?

This question is about how to make the yamim noraim services profound cognitive experiences when there is barely time to say the words in the machzor and only rarely time to reflect on the words (e.g.,...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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High holidays in the Torah

If the high holidays are really so momentous and paramount in Judaism, why are they not even mentioned in passing in the Torah until far into Leviticus, in fact, after the mishpatim, pilgrimage ...
bernardo's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
136 views

Why is there a common custom to place white coverings in shul for the High Holidays?

I understand the reason why people wear a kittel (a white "coat") or white clothing on Yom Kippur, and why some people wear it on Rosh Hashanna as well. The common two reasons I have seen are that ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
323 views

Changing the High Holiday shul "look"

Most shuls that I have attended change the parochet (ark "curtain"), shulchan (Torah reading table) and amud (chazzan's table) coverings and Torah coverings to white in honor of Rosh Hashanna and Yom ...
DanF's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
238 views

Should you prompt someone to ask you for mechila before Yom Kippur?

If G0d forbid you have a grudge against someone (and you did not rebuke them [enough] at the time--your fault) must you/should you tell them about it before Yom Kippur so they know to ask you for ...
SAH's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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Source for not singing Yamim Nora'im tunes during the year

I was told that one should not sing the tunes used for davening on the Yamim Nora'im during the year (the exception being during the month of Elul, in order to prepare for the High Holidays), because ...
user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
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Wearing a Tallis for Kiddush Levana

If people wait until the end of Yom Kippur to say kiddush levana for the month of Tishrei, which I understand to be a prevalent custom, do they keep their talleisim on? Since the tallis is not ...
Shimon bM's user avatar
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1 vote
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683 views

Sargenes vs. Kittel

This is fairly simple: Growing up in the US, the only white robes available for wearing during Rosh haShannah and Yom Kippur are standard kittels. I have heard that the kittel worn in Germany prior ...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
118 views

Source for tune sung when prayer leader pauses

On Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur, sometimes the prayer leader needs to cough or swallow or clear his throat or catch his breath or the like. The congregation then sings a little tune, I guess to avoid an ...
msh210's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
105 views

Meaning of עריכת נר לבן ישי משיחך

In the third blessing of the amidot for the yamim nora'im, there is a phrase ועריכת נר לבן ישי משיחך. In what sense is the root ערכ used in the phrase? Is this phrase a reference to a verse in the ...
paquda's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
55 views

Second-Person Plural Imperative in ברכת קדושת השם of Rosh HashShanah and Yom Kippur

In the expanded 3rd blessing of the Amidah used on the yamim nora'im, there is a sentence (in Nusah Sefard): לדור ודור המליכו לאל כי הוא לבדו מרום וקדוש This is phrased in the second-person plural ...
paquda's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
207 views

Thinking behind an unusual translation of the last word of Ashamnu?

There is a strikingly unusual translation in The Artscroll Selichos Siddur1. In several translations I have seen over the years, the last words of "Ashamnu", "תָּעִינוּ, תִּיעְתָּעְנוּ" are ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
114 views

Can one use a kittel that had previously been on a dead person?

There is a custom to bury a dead person with a kittel. It is also customary for men to wear a kittel in shul during the High Holidays. Let's say a dead body is exhumed. In Israel, it is common to ...
DanF's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
278 views

Rosh HaShanah for Under 20

As mentioned in this question, Shabbos 89b states that the heavenly Beis Din does not punish people under 20. Why is to be discussed there. My question is regarding Elul and the Yamim Noraim. Is ...
DonielF's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
62 views

Please explain the "introductory" paragraph for High Holiday Piyutim

Near the beginning of the reader's repetition of the High Holiday Amidah, there is an introductory paragraph (Nusach Ashkenaz and I assume in Nusach Sefarad, as well) that starts: מסוד חכמים ...
DanF's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
113 views

What (if any) is the connection between the three weeks and the Yomim Noraim?

Are there any sources that discuss the significance/meaning of the fact that Elul and the Yomim Noraim almost immediately follow the 3 weeks of mourning? (actual sources preferred over speculation)
Jay's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
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Chazzan Recordings Online (Nusach Sefard)

Is there anywhere online where I can find recordings of Nusach Sefard liturgy, as sung by the chazzan? There are plenty of websites dedicated to liturgy according to Nusach Ashkenaz and some Chabad-...
ezra's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
248 views

Do vows made in the year after a hatarat nedarim require another hatarat nedarim to annul?

Bracketing out, for a moment, the matter of the hatarot nedarim that everyone makes before Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the text of the regular hatarat nedarim (annulment of vows) (http://halachipedia....
SAH's user avatar
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5 votes
8 answers
2k views

How to have an easier time with Yom Tov?

NOTE: None of the following applies to Yom Kippur. I am a chozeret b'teshuva who has found most of the mitzvot to be positive challenges: within my reach, if only over time. However, one absolutely ...
SAH's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
67 views

Why say זכרנו and מי כמוך with the ש״ץ during the week but not on ר״ה ויו״כ? [closed]

For the ten days from Rosh Hashana through Yom Kipur, we add four sentences to the amida (sh'mone esre), starting respectively with "זכרנו",‎ "מי כמוך",‎ "וכתוב", and "‏(ו)בספר". I've ...
msh210's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
77 views

Seeking tips for avoiding rationalizing when doing heshbon nefesh (self-accounting)

Especially at this time of year (around the high holidays), we are to reflect on ourselves and do an accounting of our soul (heshbon nefesh). But all people are good at rationalizing what they do. ...
Yehuda W's user avatar
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7 votes
1 answer
289 views

Why is the Hineni prayer said before the silent Amida?

The Hineni prayer is said by the Chazan before the silent Amida on the high holidays. In it, the Chazan admits his personal flaws but asks still to be allowed to be a righteous and competent ...
rosends's user avatar
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9 votes
0 answers
332 views

What is the reason for the ark opening & closing procedure during Aleinu in High Holiday Musaph?

The Art Scroll & Birnbaum siddurim Nusach Ashkenaz for both Rosh Hashannah & Yom Kippur state this ark / opening procedure during the cantor's recital of the Aleinu prayer during Musaph on ...
DanF's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
94 views

What is the meaning of the term בוחן כליות in High Holiday prayers? [duplicate]

In Nusach Ashkenaz (and I assume Nusach Sefard as well as other nuscha'ot), there is a "hymn" said as part of the Musaph service on both days of Rosh Hashanna and Yom Kippur that has a refrain וכל ...
DanF's user avatar
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10 votes
1 answer
302 views

What is the origin of using a different trope mode for the High Holidays in Nusach Ashkenaz?

I noticed that during the High Holidays there isa special trope mode that is used in Nusach Ashkenaz shuls. I assume they do the same in many Nusach Sefard shuls as well. When and where (or who ...
DanF's user avatar
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2 votes
0 answers
46 views

Seeking downloadable practice files for High Holiday Shacharit practice

IY"H, I shall be the Shaliach Tzibbur for 2nd day Rosh Hashanna Shacharit and Yom Kippur. I feel that I know the nuscah well, as I have been doing this for many years. However, I could use some tunes ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
151 views

Why do we recite Sh'losh Esrei Middos 3 times during the pre-Torah service on the High Holidays?

It seems odd the we would repeat the 13 middos of God three times in a row, it is as if we are saying there are 39 middos. So why do we say the Sh'losh Esrei Middos three times in a row on the yomim ...
Steven Edelstein's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
247 views

Origin of custom of cantor walking for "Hineni"

Prior to the Musaph service on the High Holidays, the cantor recites a prayer called Hineni, named after the first word of the prayer meaning "Behold, I am...". The prayer's contents is mainly the ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
80 views

Can a Shaliach Tzibur recite the High Holiday piyutim in English?

Some shuls (this seems common in non-Orthodox shuls) have a lot of English responsive reading during the High Holiday services. Usually the "larger" piyutim, i.e., those that are recited while the ...
DanF's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
354 views

Copy/Pastable Machzor

I've been looking for some time without success for a simple computer text copy of the machzorim for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. However, despite my inability to locate such a resource, I am not ...
Noach MiFrankfurt's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
356 views

Where can I find a machzor for people who aren't fluent in prayer?

My Reform congregation is currently considering buying the forthcoming Mishkan Hanefesh machzor. I've reviewed (and led services from) drafts of this publication and, while it is an improvement over ...
Monica Cellio's user avatar